* Walking into the grocery store and not knowing where your favorite items are
* Arriving at an event and not knowing a soul or not even having a chance of bumping into someone you know.
* Sitting at the first soccer game and hearing the conversations around you and wanting to chime in but you don’t know them!
* Not feeling comfortable enough calling someone for a ride for your preschooler when your baby is still sleeping or you don’t know people well enough to be in a carpool yet.
picking leftover cotton in Texas
* Finding new doctors and dentists
* Not knowing the best routes or shortcuts and getting LOST!
* School pickup and drop-off routines
* Sending snacks for the class or birthday treats. What do they like around here? Homemade or store bought? Is sugar ok? Organic only, allergies??
* The FORMS. The dreaded filling out every.single.one That right there is a reason to never move again. And then not having anyone to put for emergency contact.
When we are moving and looking seriously at a buying a house, we have a little trick: walk down the street after school and work. Are there kids out playing, bikes or snowmen in the front yard? People taking trash out, walking dogs, or working in the yards? Talk to anyone who is outside. They will tell you what no realtor can and you can really get a feel for a neighborhood. “Oh that house has had the worst problems with drainage, I hope they got it fixed!” “We’re so sad to see the Jones’ move, he got a job transfer” “ But that dog next door barks ALL night” “This is such a great neighborhood, we love it” “It’s all right, people pretty much keep to themselves” We have actually changed our minds about a house after a walk through the neighborhood!
But do you know what? I have loved every place we have lived and miss things about each place. Some, more than others – but I am convinced that there is beauty and good people to be found everywhere. My friend Melody just wrote a book called This Is Where You Belong and she combines research, her personal experiences, and experiments of her own to help you feel at home wherever you are.
I know Melody from when we lived in Blacksburg and I adore her – she was my daughter’s youth leader and one of the most intelligent people I have met, and yet is a fantastic listener and knows all of the best books. She is warm and engaging and I just love all of the personal anecdotes she included in This Is Where You Belong, it’s such a delightful read that really makes you think about the happiness involved with where you live.
You can get to know her better on her podcast with Modern Mrs. Darcy or her website here. You know I only recommend things that I love, please enjoy getting to know Melody and her book!
I would love to know – do you love where you live? Do you think that you can learn to love living anywhere?
* This beautiful porch photographed by Brian Jannsen
* Mom hears son’s heartbeat 3 years after his death ♥
* How to raise kinder, less entitled kids
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
* World Market Friends & Family – 30% off and free shipping over $200 using code FALLFF at checkout
* lowest price: Enchanted DVD $5.41
* E.T. anniversary edition blu ray combo pack $6.99
* the Chewbacca mask is back in stock! $27.48
* Madden NFL 17 all platforms $39.99 at Best Buy
* Poe’s X-Wing Fighter $2.41 (add-on item)
* lowest price: Wilton 24 cupcake perfect results pan $12.82
* It’s here! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition $23.99
* Buy one get one 50% off on all Halloween costumes and buy one get one 50% off on big candy bags
* Cottonelle 12 pack only $3.99 (add-on item)
* Free 45 Day Subscription to Hulu through Groupon
* Venus Spa Razor $4.57 when you clip the $3 coupon
* Pyrex 3-piece glass measuring cup set $13
* Disney Store has $10 fleece throws, ornaments, and mugs PLUS you get an extra 20% off your $75 purchase with code SAVE20 and free shipping on that $75 purchase with code SHIPMAGIC
* Fall pencil skirts $14.99 at Jane
* lowest price: Philips Sonicare 3 Series Rechargeable Toothbrush only $49.95 when you clip the $10 coupon OR Sonicare 2 Series $29.95 when you clip the coupon
* Vera Bradley Friends and Family: 25% off sitewide + free shipping
These test tubes were actually a spice set that I found at a thrift store – kind of like this, I couldn’t find the exact one but you get the idea. I just filled them with Halloween sprinkles and little plastic spiders from Walmart and candy eyes. The printed labels are from Etsy.
Do you remember the cart on the porch that was given a makeover? It’s a perfect storage for my halloween hoard.
Some more fun decor on the porch!
This phone is still a favorite and goes off when people come on the porch – our cutest little neighbor boy just got brave enough to come up and knock on the door and I hear him whispering, “it’s just a toy, it’s just a toy.”
I do have my eye on the spooky radio though!! Do any of you have it? I am waiting for a great sale/clearance so let me know if you see one.
I pulled out a ladder from the basement storage room that worked great for a display!
Happy Spooking!!
* How to make a free corn tassel wreath at All Things Thrifty
* the toy smuggler that brings smiles to Syrian children
* what a Stanford dean says parents are doing to ruin their kids
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
* today only: I wait for this battery deal to stock up!
* Halloween candy! Hershey’s 140 pc bag for $7.80 when you clip the coupon
* Karate Kid dvd collection $5.99
* lowest price: Coleman double high airbed $34.22
* 6 pack LED lightbulbs $14.99 when you use code RSHKZDMQ at checkout
* Macy’s: free 7 piece Clinique gift set with any $27 purchase
* lowest price: Tom’s of Maine natural white toothpaste, 6 pack $12.20
* $20 off $45 purchase or $50 off $100 coupon at Yankee Candle
* lowest price: Kolcraft lightweight stroller with umbrella & basket $47.99
* 100 pack white tealights $12.99
* lowest price: LEGO City Ferry $19.19
* today only: free shipping at Gymboree with code WHEEFREE + 40% off dressed up styles
* Waring Pro Convection Oven $59.99
* Scott soft toilet tissue – 24 pk $12.29 when you clip the coupon and choose subscribe & save, same price as Costco
* Coleman Brazos sleeping bag $15.20
* Elf Ears Christmas Hat $2.37
This is a simple salad but it’s sooooo good. It’s the one I always get a request for when I make it for company or bring it to a gathering.
The secret ingredient: this English cheddar that I buy at Costco – sweet & rugged and it crumbles perfectly – it is divine with the lemon poppyseed dressing. This cheese was introduced to me by GoToRecipes on Instagram in another salad she shared that is also soooo good –she has the best recipes.
Lightly toss together:
- Spring mix salad mix (or just whatever dark greens + spinach you have on hand)
- Coastal English cheddar cheese, crumbled
- Dried cherries (or cranberries, I like the cherries)
- slivered almonds (you can caramelize them if you like)
- thinly sliced apples or pears (dipped in lemon juice to prevent browning if it will be awhile before adding dressing)
Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tsp onion powder
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup oil (whatever I have on hand: canola, vegetable, or olive)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion powder, mustard and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running add oil in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more to mix. Toss with salad right before serving.
Yum.
Enjoy! Here is the printable version
My top 3 popular recipe posts:
1. Banana bars
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